It's getting nice ink on Motoringfile.com and other websites but I thought I'd give my personal take on what will be the "entry-level BMW", replacing the MINI, which only BMW owners consider an entry into the BMW brand. (That's my opinion, anyway.)

I don't necessarily like or dislike BMWs. They look nice. I hear they drive well but I've never been in one. I'd likely drive one if it were given to me for free. Alas, BMWs are the opposite of free. Current speculation is that a reasonably spec'd 1-series will come in somewhere near $40,000. Forty grand people! You know what I could do with forty grand? I'll tell you what:

A friend of mine has ordered his 2007 (R56) MINI Cooper S. It's got basically everything you can put on a MINI. (before aftermarket mods, that is). That's a whopping $38k. So, which would you rather have? An entry-level, no frills BMW, or a topped out MINI? I know what I'd take! :)

My wifes new BMW 330 convertible is quite nice - loads more space than the MINI; I haven't driven it to know if it's as enjoyable as my GP, but there's definitely no real "community" with BMWs.

To me, that 1 series just doesn't look nice!The 350Z is so cramped inside - worse than a MINI - so that's off my list. Front wheel drive will be preferable to RWD in New England winters ... so I'd probably spend that $40K on a seriously well spec'ed Clubman :)

Owned a 3 series BMW, Traded it in for my MCS and never looked back. No contest in quality and thrill....I still consider my move to the MINI as a trade up. Any BMW owner who considers the MINI as an entry level BMW has built the Pyramid upside down!

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"You build a MINI on-line to your exact specs...
you plumb the depths of your immortal soul to select a color...
then you order... you are very excited... you wait...
and wait... and wait... you get a production number....
and wait.... you lose your sanity...
you lose your friends, they're tired of hearing about nothing but MINIs...
you hook up (better later than never) with NAM...
you embrace (like a life-raft) the alternate MINI-centric reality NAM represents...
your MINI is built and shipped...
you get very excited again... your MINI crosses the high seas...
you fret... you lose those final shreds of sanity... your MINI enters the black hole (VDC)... no information... you stop breathing... you stop sleeping... then your MINI arrives. By this point you have been transformed into a certified, bona-fide, flame-thowing, wild-eyed MINIac... one worthy of such a great car. Happy motoring!!" -- gokartride

"Bushfinger MINI" is in no way, shape or form affliated with MINIUSA, BMWUSA or any other member of the BMW Global Group. In providing links to MINI-related websites, Bushfinger MINI provides no endorsements or guarantees to writers or vendors quality of work, accuracy, or services provided.